New Year, New You (New Finances?!) - Sticking to Your Resolutions
Nitika Vyas
January 1, 2025
Woohoo, 2025 is here, and you’re ready to crush your financial goals! 🎉 But the big question is – how do you actually stick to them?
The Struggle is Real 😅
Let’s be honest. How many times have we set New Year’s resolutions, be that dieting or joining the gym only for them to fade by week two? If you’re anything like me and my past New Year’s resolutions, you’ve lasted a week, if that. Studies show 23% of us quit by the first week, and by the second Friday? 88% are done! Yep, "Quitter’s Day" is a real thing.
So, How Do We Make 2025 Different?
It starts by understanding why we struggle to keep those resolutions in the first place. Ask yourself:
Were your goals too big? Like, you wanted to work out every day or run 10 miles/week, when in reality, you barely work out once/month and have a hard time running just 1 mile?
Were your goals too abstract? Saying “be more mindful” is nice, but what does that even mean?
Did you try to do it all at once? Making a 20-item resolution list sounds fun, but it’s a lot. Focus on one or two things, not everything at once.
If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get excited about goals, but when it’s time to do the work, it can feel overwhelming. So, let’s break it down into practical, manageable steps, starting with realistic, achievable goals.
How to Stick to Your Financial Journey in 2025
Put goals in your calendar. Schedule your financial check-ins like you would any work meeting. You can scheduled interim target, or even time for money actions. Make it a priority!
Set repeat reminders. A little nudge goes a long way. Set a reminder to check your progress, repay a loan, or make a small investment.
Reward yourself! Hit a milestone? Treat yourself – whether it’s a sweet treat 🍰 or a fun night out 💃. (I’ve got a delicious ice cream shop near my apartment that I dream about). Regardless of what you choose - celebrate those wins!
Find an accountability buddy. Whether it’s a friend or family member, having someone check in helps - especially if you start snoozing or even ignoring those self-made reminders.
Join an accountability group. Think of it like a Think of this like a book club, but instead it’s your own financial-independence-girl-boss-club! We’re starting one at Aila, and we’d love for you to join! 📚
Track your habits. Use a habit tracker and try habit stacking. Use the following to your advantage: our brains LOVE routine. Even those of us who think we’re not disciplined or good planners. That’s why simple things like the way we tie our shoes and the route you take on your daily commute are so engrained in us. We are creatures of habit. The key part of this is realising that habits are learned. Something is not a habit until we do it over and over and over again. So, establishing any habit had to start somewhere – and the same is true for making a habit out of your financial resolutions. Once we have a habit, we can also build on it - so while you’re doing your skincare routine, listen to a personal finance podcast. Small steps, big results!
Consistency is Key!
Start small, and soon, your financial journey will become second nature - in fact, it'll become part of your identity. It’s no longer something you aspire to, or dread having to start. You’ve got this!
Overwhelmed? We’ve got your back.Aila is here to help you understand your finances and create a game plan. You don’t have to do this alone.
Thank you toCaroline Tearefor contributing this blog. 🫶💫
